SMART TEENS

Content and Language Integrated

Learning
ICT

Lesson 9 “Network communication

and Mobile OS”
Task 1. Think and say.

What is networking?
What is an operating system? Why do you need it?
State the various uses of a mobile phone.

Task 2. Read about the networking of computers. Discuss some advantages

and disadvantages.
A network consists of two or more computers linked together for sharing
resources such as printers and exchanging files or allowing electronic
communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables,
telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.
A large number of users belonging to the same area or organisation who are
spread out at different places can communicate and share useful files, software
programs and information, only when their computers are networked. This type
of networking, specific to users in one organisation, is called an intranet. It is a
network which is not open to all.
Advantages Disadvantages
 Centralised software  When the server develops a
management: Software can be fault, users may not be able to
loaded on the main computer, run the application programs
the file server. This eliminates and chances of data loss
the need to spend time and increase.
energy in installing, updating
and tracking files on
independent computers
throughout the same building.
 Resource sharing: Resources  If the network stops operating,
such as printers, fax machines, computers connected to the
scanners and modems can be network cannot access the
shared by connecting them on a data/files stored on the
network. his saves space and is network, which affects the
also cheap. entire system.
 Speed: Files can be sent and  As traffic increases on a
received quickly using a network the performance
computer network. This method degrades unless it is designed
saves time, and is more properly.
 convenient than manual
delivery of data.
 Cost efficient: Individually  It becomes difficult to manage
licensed copies of many when a large number of
popular software programs can computers are connected to a
be costly. Storing the software network.
on a file server and making it
available to other computers
connected to it saves money.
 Security: Sensitive files and  If the server is hacked or
programs on a network are attacked by a virus, the security
protected by passwords. They of data of all connected
can be made available as read computers is at risk.
only files, which helps to avoid
copying of programs.

Task 3. Watch the video. Discuss the different components of a computer

network.

Task 4. Read about the types of computer networks. Answer the questions.

There are many ways to categorise types of computer networks. Usually,

networks are defined by their size and their layout. The technical word for
network layout is called ‘topology’.
The size and type of a network are based on the distance between ‘nodes’. A
node is any device that sends or receives data through a network.
The most common network sizes are:

 LAN (local area network)

 MAN (metropolitan area network)
 WAN (wide area network)
A LAN is a small wired or wireless network. Usually, when people use a LAN
network all of the devices are connected to each other in the same building.
Sometimes the devices may be connected on a single floor in a large building. If
there are many computers connected to a LAN, this can slow the network down,
which can lead to delays in sending and receiving information.

A MAN is a network that is bigger than a LAN but too small to be called a
WAN. A MAN is big enough to connect devices within a city. Sometimes a
MAN network is connected through fibre-optic cables between buildings.

A WAN is a network that covers more than 48km. WAN networks cover large
geographical areas all over the world. A WAN network is a collection of lots of
LAN networks. WAN networks are connected using copper wires, fibre-optic
cables or satellites. Many big businesses need to use a WAN network because
they have offices in different cities.

1. Can you think of a place that may use a LAN?

2. Can you think of buildings that may use a MAN?
3. The biggest WAN in existence is the Internet. Why do you think this is?
4. Can you think of any examples of nodes?

Task 5. Read and decide what type of network you would use in each
situation.

1.
__________

You are an engineer for a large company that Handy Hints:

provides the Internet to lots of people across a Other uses of this network
large geographical area. You install fibre-optic are:
cables, copper wire cables or even satellites to • mobile broadband
allow people to connect to the Internet using this • banks
type of network. • companies like
Google and Microsoft

2.
__________

You own your own business creating computer Handy Hints:

games. You work at your office which is in one Other uses of this network
building. The network needs to allow your are:
employees to communicate via email, send files • at home
and share data. • a cafe
3.
__________

You are a teacher at a university and need to Handy Hints:

access your teaching files from different Other uses of this network
classrooms in different buildings. The university are:
that you work for owns more than one building • in a hospital
across a city and they connect using a fibre-optic • at airports
cable. In your role, you need to connect to the • public libraries
Internet, communicate via email, send files and
share data with your students and the people you
work with.

Task 6. Watch the video. Talk about OS and their differences.

Task 7. Read and complete the description of OS.

iOS BlackBerry OS webOS Android

_____________

This is one of the most popular operating systems, designed by Android Inc in
Silicon Valley, before Google bought it in 2005. Its first commercial version
was officially launched in 2008. It is an open source and freely available Linux-
based operating system mainly designed for smartphones and tablets with
touchscreens. It has the basic operating system features, with calls and
messaging services that can be used to establish connections using different
communication networks on different devices. Different versions of this OS are
named after desserts. For example, version 1.5 is known as ‘Cupcake’, 1.6 as
‘Donut’, 2.0/2.1 as “Eclair’, 2.2 as ‘Froyo’ and 2.3 as ‘Gingerbread’.

_____________

This mobile operating system has been developed by Blackberry Limited for its
own devices just as iOS has been designed only for iPhones. This platform is
best known for strong wireless activation and synchronisation of emails,
calendar, notes, contacts and tasks.
_____________

This is a mobile operating system designed mainly for iPhones, iPods and iPads.
It was made available commercially in 2007 as an operating system for iPhones.
It is the second most popular mobile operating system after Android. This OS
is a closed source system owned by Apple and no other company or person can
use it or modify it, therefore providing strong security features against data theft
or malwares.

_____________

This operating system was developed by Palm Incorporation. It is a Linux-based

open source operating system which was taken over by HP and later sold to LG
for smart phones and smart TVs. It strongly supports multitasking and is better
than iOS when running multiple applications at one time. Its various versions
are Pre, Pixi and Veer for smartphones. Since 2014, LG has been using webOS
for its smart projectors, refrigerators and smart TVs.

Task 8. Talk about your mobile phone. Make a list of the

most used apps in your everyday life.

What is the mobile OS on your personal mobile phone?

What are your favourite mobile apps?

Task 9. Discuss which OS is better. What advantages and disadvantages of

each?